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Intro to Modeling Chocolate

Cityscape Cakes

Lauren Kitchens teaches you to concoct, color, texture and transform modeling chocolate, taking it to new heights and bringing it into your kitchen.

Add modeling chocolate to your cake decorating bag of tricks! In Intro to Modeling Chocolate: Cityscape Cakes, cake artist Lauren Kitchens shows you how to create textured, colorful cake embellishments from this easy and versatile medium. Lauren takes the city of Chicago as her inspiration, crafting Windy City landmarks from the Sears Tower to Lake Michigan. You'll learn how to add color and textural accents and assemble a spectacular cake that reflects the city you call home — or any favorite place! Lauren also shares with you step-by-step instructions for assembling and transporting your cake.

Lesson plan

Lesson 1. Introduction

Lesson 2. Cake Design

Lauren discusses the importance of designing your cake, including where to find inspiration, how to sketch and edit your design.

28:55

Lesson 3. Modeling Chocolate

Lauren shows you step by step how to mix, knead and color modeling chocolate, whether using white, milk or dark chocolate.

14:41

Lesson 4. Preparing the Cake

Get that cake ready to decorate as Lauren demonstrates how to support and stack your cake.

37:50

Lesson 5. Lake Michigan

Begin building your cityscape as Lauren illustrates her techniques as she builds Lake Michigan, adding sailboats, Navy Pier and even lakefront condos!

25:07

Lesson 6. Into the City

Lauren demonstrates coloring with an airbrush and adds bridges, cars and cabs.

55:18

Lesson 7. Chicago Landmarks

Learn how to create buildings and details from your hometown as Lauren adds museums and other Chicago landmarks.

25:33

Lesson 8. Topper

Turn your focus to the top as Lauren assembles the show-stopping topper, complete with edible images, airbrushing and more.

15:51

Lesson 9. Assembling the Cityscape Cake

It's time to put it all together! Learn the best way to store your cake before Lauren demonstrates how to attach buildings and put on the finishing touches.

"I've read books, tutorials, and watched lots of videos on how to prepare and work with modeling chocolate. None come close to Laurenís method of teaching! I have attempted modeling chocolate several times only to fail miserably. After taking Lauren's course, not only was I able to make a successful batch, I also was able to create some pretty cool figures." - dcaballero

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Lesson 1. Introduction

Lesson 2. Cake Design

Lauren discusses the importance of designing your cake, including where to find inspiration, how to sketch and edit your design.

28:55

Lesson 3. Modeling Chocolate

Lauren shows you step by step how to mix, knead and color modeling chocolate, whether using white, milk or dark chocolate.

14:41

Lesson 4. Preparing the Cake

Get that cake ready to decorate as Lauren demonstrates how to support and stack your cake.

37:50

Lesson 5. Lake Michigan

Begin building your cityscape as Lauren illustrates her techniques as she builds Lake Michigan, adding sailboats, Navy Pier and even lakefront condos!

25:07

Lesson 6. Into the City

Lauren demonstrates coloring with an airbrush and adds bridges, cars and cabs.

55:18

Lesson 7. Chicago Landmarks

Learn how to create buildings and details from your hometown as Lauren adds museums and other Chicago landmarks.

25:33

Lesson 8. Topper

Turn your focus to the top as Lauren assembles the show-stopping topper, complete with edible images, airbrushing and more.

15:51

Lesson 9. Assembling the Cityscape Cake

It's time to put it all together! Learn the best way to store your cake before Lauren demonstrates how to attach buildings and put on the finishing touches.

The instructor

Lauren Kitchens, Instructor of Intro to Modeling Chocolate

Lauren's career in cake began in her parents' home, where she started Fancy Cakes by Lauren. By 2002, demand for Lauren's cakes had risen steadily, and she opened her commercial kitchen and showroom. Since then, she's won two gold medals on Food Network Challenge, where one of her cakes was described by the judges as "the best cake ever made on Food Network." Lauren has taught cake decorating across the globe: the passion and talent she has for sharing her techniques shine through in her inviting teaching style and in-depth classes.

Ratings & reviews

Class rating

(79 reviews)

Great class

by Aesook716 on May 28, 2015

I enjoyed her step by step instruction. Thank you Lauren!

I enjoyed her step by step instruction. Thank you Lauren!

Great Class

by Divine Debbie on May 14, 2015

Awesome!

Awesome!

Great Instructor

by lemondeli1070285 on March 18, 2015

This was a excellent class. Lauren is a dynamic instructor. I left the class with a wealth of knowledge.

This was a excellent class. Lauren is a dynamic instructor. I left the class with a wealth of knowledge.

Great Instructor

by lemondeli1070285 on March 18, 2015

This was a excellent class. Lauren is a dynamic instructor. I left the class with a wealth of knowledge.

This was a excellent class. Lauren is a dynamic instructor. I left the class with a wealth of knowledge.

by L.A. Cakes on February 27, 2015

Brilliant class to bring up confidence to start making and using modelling chocolate, thank you.

Brilliant class to bring up confidence to start making and using modelling chocolate, thank you.